California is under constant siege from invasive pests, weeds, and soil-borne diseases. Our food supply competes daily with 30,000 species of weeds, 3,000 types of worms, and 10,000 species of plant-eating insects.
These threats are not hypothetical; they are real, ongoing, and intensifying. Meanwhile, restrictions on effective pest management tools are hindering those responsible for protecting our food, health, and infrastructure.
Recent policies have exacerbated a serious problem. Rodent populations are surging across California, in both agricultural and urban areas, largely due to the state’s tightening restrictions on rodenticides. Following the passage of the 2024 Poison-Free Wildlife Act, key rodenticides have been removed from professional use, leaving farmers, city officials, and pest control experts with fewer tools to address the issue.
This isn’t an abstract policy debate. It’s visible on the ground. Orkin’s 2024 “Rattiest Cities” list now includes four major California cities: Los Angeles (#2), San Francisco (#4), San Diego (#18), and Sacramento (#20).
Infestations are no longer seasonal; they pose a year-round threat to homes, businesses, and public health systems. Rodents are not harmless creatures; they transmit serious diseases such as hantavirus, leptospirosis, and salmonella. They can cause electrical fires, damage property, and undermine infrastructure. Yet, the tools to combat them are being legislated out of reach.
The public health stakes are rising beyond rodents. Although not yet established in California, the invasive Asian needle ant is already spreading across at least 20 states, and that’s exactly how infestations escalate, jumping from place to place. It’s only a matter of time before we confront this pest or another equally harmful species. These small, dark ants deliver a sting more dangerous than that of fire ants, with some incidents resulting in hospitalization for anaphylaxis. They typically nest in shaded hardwood areas, where their colonies can grow rapidly as temperatures rise.
Managing pest infestations requires specialized professional tools, many of which are facing increased scrutiny and restrictions from policymakers. We must stay vigilant, ensuring access to all necessary tools to effectively control any invasive threat before it takes hold.
Policy makers and regulators must understand that pest control tools are not chosen lightly. Products used in the field undergo over 10 years of rigorous peer-reviewed testing and environmental risk assessment. They are evaluated by both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and California’s Department of Pesticide Regulation. These substances are among the most studied and regulated materials in the nation. Decisions to restrict or ban them must be based on broad, reproducible scientific evidence, not on headlines or activist pressure.
Unfortunately, we’re witnessing policies influenced by ideology and anecdote instead of empirical data. Unverified studies and emotionally charged narratives are resulting in legislative bans that compromise public safety. Mike VanFossen of Stanford University summed it up best: “Californians are bearing the brunt of misguided legislative decisions.”
California’s pest crisis is solvable, but this is only possible if we restore science to the center of the policymaking process. Pest control professionals need a full arsenal of proven tools to protect Californians. When access to these tools is restricted, everyone pays the price, from farmers and urban residents to students and seniors.
This isn’t about politics. It’s about public health, food security, and environmental stewardship. Let’s get the facts straight, trust the science, and provide professionals with the tools they need to protect our communities.
